Not Trump, not Clinton: The Obamas declared the most admired people in the US

For the first time in 17 years, someone other than Hillary Clinton has been named the most admired woman in America.

Barack and Michelle Obama have been voted the most admired people in America.

Barack and Michelle Obama have been voted the most admired people in America. Source: Press Association

Is this the ultimate power couple?

Former US President Barack Obama has been named the - but now he is joined by his wife, Michelle, who knocked Hillary Clinton off the perch to be voted the most admired woman.

Barack and Michelle Obama are the most admired couple in America, according to annual poll.
Barack and Michelle Obama are the most admired couple in America, according to annual poll. Source: Press Association
 
It is the first time in 17 years that a woman other than the former US presidential candidate and Secretary of State has been named the most admired woman in Gallup's annual poll. There are ten points between Ms Obama and her nearest rival, Oprah Winfrey.

, Becoming. Meanwhile, Ms Clinton has been staying out of the spotlight more than usual. 

And while Barack Obama has continued his number one streak, US President Donald Trump has come in second for the fourth year in a row. When it comes to the women, First Lady Melania Trump is sitting at number four, behind Ms Clinton who dropped to third place. 

For the first time in 17 years, Hillary Clinton is not the most admired woman in the US.
For the first time in 17 years, Hillary Clinton is not the most admired woman in the US. Source: The Canadian Press


Queen Elizabeth took out the fifth spot - the first non-American to make the Most Admired Woman list - followed by German Chancellor Angela Merkle, Supreme Court judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg, talk show host Ellen Degeneres, US politician Nikki Haley, Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai and another US politician, Nancy Pelosi. 

The data shows American's hold talk show hosts in high esteem, with both Winfrey and Degeneres making the list.

No entertainers appeared in the male list and only two non-Americans made the cut: Pope Francis and the Dalai Lama.

For the fourth year in a row, Donald Trump is the second most admired man, according to Americans.
For the fourth year in a row, Donald Trump is the second most admired man, according to Americans. His wife, Melania, came in at number four for women. Source: Press Association


After Mr Obama and Mr Trump, Americans said they admired George W Bush, Pope Francis, Bill Gates, Bernie Sanders, Bill Clinton, the Dalai Lama, Joe Biden, Elon Musk and Mike Pence, in that order. 

There is a six-point gap between first and second place in the Most Admired Man list. 

According to Gallup, this year is only the 13th time in 72 years the incumbent president didn't come in first. If Trump does not get to the top spot during his term, it will be only the second time that a US president has not had the honor. 

The survey, which has run every year since 1946, asked 1025 adult Americans to name the man and women, from any country in the world, whom they most admire. 


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3 min read
Published 28 December 2018 8:42am
By Maani Truu


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